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Anthony Albanese blasts Scott Morrison as ‘evasive, self-serving’

Ellen RansleyNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Scott Morrison has been described by his successor Anthony Albanese as “evasive, defensive, passive aggressive and self-serving”.

On Wednesday, Mr Morrison spent an hour fielding questions from a furious press pack, who probed him as to why he had not revealed to his cabinet, let alone the Australian public, that he had taken administrative responsibility in a number of portfolios.

Mr Morrison sought to justify his moves relating to health and finance, and later home affairs and treasury, as being by products of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

His actions related to resources were related to a gas project.

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The then finance and home affairs ministers were not made aware Mr Morrison had assumed the powers in March 2020 and May 2021 respectively.

Then treasurer Josh Frydenberg was also not made aware of the move Mr Morrison made in May 2021 despite being the deputy Liberal leader.

Then resources minister Keith Pitt and health minister Greg Hunt were made aware in April 2021 and March 2020 respectively.

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Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese has described his predecessor as ‘defensive and self-serving’. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Albanese said Mr Morrison’s blame shifting on Wednesday had been “extraordinary”.

“The first rule of power grab club is don’t talk about power grab club, and Scott Morrison broke that rule today,” Mr Albanese said.

“(Mr Morrison was) blaming everybody else, not accepting any responsibility.

“It’s one thing for his ministerial colleagues to not be told, and in part of the press conference … Mr Morrison spoke about apologising to his ministerial colleagues for how they felt, not that he had done anything wrong. He accepted no responsibility.

“(But) what about an apology to the Australian people? The Australian people went to an election not knowing that any of this had occurred.”

SCOTT MORRISON
Camera IconFormer prime minister Scott Morrison has defended his actions. Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Morrison had earlier failed to answer questions about why he did not tell the Australian public, except offering up an excuse that he did not want to cause alarm.

He defended his moves regarding the five portfolios as being “emergency powers” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Morrison has insisted he never exercised the powers, except those related to the resources portfolio.

“The fact that ministers were unaware of these things is actually proof of my lack of interference or intervention in any of their activities,” he said.

Mr Morrison has insisted he will not resign as the member for Cook.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison Election 2022
Camera IconBarnaby Joyce says former prime minister Scott Morrison does not need to resign, as his actions weren’t illegal. Credit: News Corp Australia

Earlier, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce stood by the former prime minister, saying the embattled Liberal does not need to resign.

Mr Joyce said Mr Morrison’s actions were legal – despite that advice still pending.

Mr Joyce, who served as deputy prime minister between May 2021 and May 2022, threw his support behind Mr Morrison on Wednesday morning.

“I don’t agree with the prime minister taking on roles here, there and everywhere – I do believe in a cabinet system of government,” Mr Joyce said.

“But Mr Morrison has not broken any law. He has not done anything illegal.”

Mr Joyce said he knew “of sorts” that Mr Morrison had assumed the position in the resources portfolio.

Mr Joyce is now at odds with former home affairs minister Karen Andrews, who has demanded Mr Morrison resign.

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie on Wednesday also joined the chorus calling for his resignation, saying his actions were “disgraceful”.

Mr Joyce echoed Opposition leader Peter Dutton and former prime minister John Howard in calling for calm, saying Mr Morrison could continue to serve as the member for Cook.

“If you do something illegal … that’s grounds for pack your bongos and get out of there, but if something is legal, and you’ve abided by the law, even though people might not agree with it … it’s not illegal,” Mr Joyce said.

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Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Solicitor-General will give him advice on Monday as to whether Mr Morrison’s actions were illegal. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neil said it was not yet clear that nobody had broken the law.

“We don’t know that answer yet,” she told ABC Radio.

“I really want to say this directly … stop playing this down. Peter Dutton, Barnaby Joyce, John Howard – they are all playing this down as though this is some kind of run-of-the-mill scandal that occurs from time to time.

“That is not what has happened here. This is an unprecedented violation of our democracy.

“Don’t defend this man.”

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Camera IconMr Morrison has apologised, and said he only exercised his powers in the resources portfolio. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

Ms O’Neil said she “doesn’t really believe” Mr Morrison did not exercise his powers.

Education Minister Jason Clare said the situation had been made worse by the “cover up and secrecy”.

“Arguably, the parliament was misled; it’s a serious contempt of the parliament to mislead the parliament,” he told ABC News.

“If he was vested with powers of five portfolios and never told the parliament, I think that’s a very serious situation.”

Mr Albanese will receive further advice from the Solicitor-General on Monday.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese blasts Scott Morrison as ‘evasive, self-serving’

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